Asher Watkins, 52, was killed by a Cape buffalo during a hunting trip in the South African province of Limpopo on Sunday, Aug. 3

By 

Gabrielle Rockson

Published on August 6, 2025 07:30AM EDT

26Comments

NEED TO KNOW

• Asher Watkins, 52, was fatally struck by a Cape buffalo during a hunting trip in South Africa
• Hunter Hans Vermaak, who gave a statement to the Daily Mail on behalf of CV Safaris, who reportedly organized the trip, confirmed Watkins’ death and said he was killed in an “unprovoked attack”
• The fatal incident took place in Limpopo on Sunday, Aug. 3

An American millionaire and big game hunter has died after being killed by a buffalo during a hunting trip to South Africa.

Texan ranch trader Asher Watkins, 52, was stalking a 1.3-ton Cape buffalo in Limpopo on Sunday, Aug. 3, when the animal charged at him at 35 mph and fatally struck him, according to multiple outlets, including the Daily Mail and Metro.

The trip, reportedly worth almost $10,000, was organized by Coenraad Vermaak Safaris, according to the Daily Mail. It’s unclear whether the buffalo was killed following Watkins’ death or whether the animal was able to escape.

“It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts we confirm the tragic death of our client and friend Asher Watkins from the USA,” Hunter Hans Vermaak said in a statement to the outlet on behalf of CV Safaris.

“On Sunday, while on a hunting safari with us in South Africa’s Limpopo Province, Asher was fatally injured in a sudden and unprovoked attack by an unwounded buffalo,” they added.

The statement continued, “He was tracking it together with one of our professional hunters and one of our trackers. This is a devastating incident, and our hearts go out to his loved ones.”

“We are doing everything we can to support the family members who are here with us and those back in the United States as they navigate this tragic loss,” Vermaak concluded.

PEOPLE has contacted Coenraad Vermaak Safaris and the South African Police Service for comment.

Related Stories

Man, 30, Is Gored by a Bison While Visiting Yellowstone National Park

Farmer Dies in Water Buffalo Attack Just 1 Day After Buying Them at Auction

According to the Daily Mail and Metro, Watkins’ mom Gwen and his stepdad, along with his brother Amon, were waiting for him at the safari lodge when the incident happened.

The safari company said they are also in touch with Watkins’ teen daughter, Savannah, and his ex-wife, Courtney.

Courtney also announced his death on Facebook with an emotional tribute, which has since been removed from the social media site.

“This photo is from another time, another chapter of our lives—but it’s one that will always be a part of our daughter’s story,” she wrote alongside a throwback photo of themselves with their daughter. “On Sunday, August 3, Savannah’s father, Asher Watkins, died suddenly in a tragic accident involving a Cape buffalo while on a hunting trip in South Africa.”

“It’s a reality that’s still hard to put into words. Our hearts are heavy as we navigate the days ahead, especially for Savannah as she grieves her dad,” she added. “We’ve been in a state of shock and heartbreak ever since, trying to process not just the loss, but the complexity that comes with it.”

“Thank you to everyone who has reached out, prayed, or simply held us in your thoughts. Your love has truly carried us through the hardest few days of our lives,” she continued before adding the bible verse Psalm 34:18.

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

A family friend also paid tribute to their late friend and expressed their condolences to Courtney and Savannah.

“Yesterday, our dear friend Asher Austin Watkins, passed onto his reward, to be with the Lord,” Jennifer Davis wrote on Facebook. “On an African hunting safari, surrounded by his beloved mother, Gwen, brother, Amon and stepdad, Tony….Asher came face-to-face with one of Africa’s legendary Big Five—a Cape buffalo.”

“In a moment as fearless as he lived his life, he met the challenge head-on, leaving this world a man of courage, faith, and adventure,” she added. “If you knew Asher, you knew his faith, his adventurous spirit, and that signature wink that always let you know he was up to something. He loved his daughter, Savannah, more than life itself. Asher was a steady presence in the lives of those who knew him.”

Davis continued, “He leaves behind his precious daughter, Savannah and his ex-wife, Courtney, who are now facing an unimaginable loss. To help ease the load during this difficult time, a Meal Train has been set up.”

Asher, who had a Facebook page dedicated to his outdoor activities, was a managing partner at Watkins Ranch Group. On the company website, the hunter was described as having expert knowledge on the “purchase and sale of Ranch and Land properties across Texas and Oklahoma.”

His expertise stemmed from growing up in Dallas and working on his family’s hunting and cattle ranch.

For Everyone

Aug. 4, 2025

Español

At a glance

• Between January 1 and August 4, 2025, 26 human infections with avian influenza A(H5N1) viruses (H5 bird flu) have been detected globally, of which 23 were identified in 7 countries outside of the United States, including 11 infections that resulted in death.
• The three cases in the United States were previously reported, and there have been no cases reported in the United States since mid-February 2025.
• The 11 deaths occurred in Cambodia (8), India (2), and Mexico (1). All of these infections were in people with likely or reported direct contact with poultry and/or wild birds.
• No person-to-person spread was identified in any of these cases, and their occurrence is not thought to change the health risk to the U.S. public, which remains low at this time.
• Due to widespread global outbreaks of H5N1 bird flu in wild birds and poultry, sporadic human infections with H5N1 virus are not surprising in persons with direct or close contact with sick or dead poultry or other infected animals, but they do underscore the importance of continued surveillance domestically and globally.

Overview

Avian influenza A viruses, including viruses that cause H5N1 bird flu, are different from human seasonal influenza viruses. Because most people lack pre-existing immunity to avian influenza viruses, these viruses have the potential to cause a flu pandemic in people if they were to gain the ability to more easily infect and spread efficiently between people. This is why it is important for every human infection from avian influenza A viruses to be reported and investigated.

CDC continues to work with global partners to identify and respond to human infections with avian influenza A viruses, like H5N1 viruses, which caused outbreaks in poultry, dairy cows and other animals and 70 human cases in the United States during 2024 and early 2025.

Summary of recent H5N1 human cases by country

Cambodia

Fourteen human infections with influenza A(H5N1) virus, including eight deaths, have been reported in Cambodia during 2025. Of these infections, seven were in children. Currently available genetic sequencing of virus samples has identified these as H5 clade 2.3.2.1e* viruses, which have circulated among poultry in Cambodia and the region for many years. This H5 virus clade differs from the H5N1 viruses that has circulated in U.S. wild birds, poultry, and dairy cattle (clade 2.3.4.4b).

Between 2023-2025, 30 human infections with influenza A(H5N1) viruses were reported in Cambodia. Cambodian health officials, in collaboration with U.S. CDC and global partners, have increased clinician outreach and awareness to quickly detect and report human bird flu cases. Additionally, educational campaigns have been implemented for villagers and school children to emphasize the importance of safely handling of sick or dead poultry.

India

Two fatal infections with influenza A(H5N1) virus in a child and in an adult were reported by India during 2025. The child had exposure to poultry, and while no avian influenza outbreaks among poultry were reported in the district where the child lived, neighboring districts had detected poultry outbreaks of avian influenza. Limited information on the adult is available online. No additional human cases were detected by epidemiological investigations of the suspected contacts. Genetic sequencing results indicate that the H5N1 virus belongs to clade 2.3.2.1a, which is one of the viruses circulating in the region.

Mexico

One fatal infection with influenza A(H5N1) virus was reported in a child during 2025. The child did not report exposure to infected poultry or other animals. Human infections with influenza A(H5N1) viruses where animal exposure cannot be identified are uncommon but have occurred. Genetic sequencing results indicated that the influenza A(H5N1) virus associated with this infection was clade 2.3.4.4b, which is circulating in North America and is the same clade that has caused human infections in the United States.

Vietnam

One human infection with influenza A(H5N1) virus was reported in a child with encephalitis in Vietnam during 2025. The patient had close contact with dead poultry before becoming sick and being hospitalized. Genetic sequencing results of the specimen from the patient was identified as clade 2.3.2.1.e., which is the clade that has been circulating in the region.

Other Global Cases

Other countries that have detected human cases of H5N1 bird flu during 2025 include Bangladesh (3 cases), China (1 case), United Kingdom (1 case), and the United States (3 cases).

These cases underscore the need for strong flu systems for influenza response, including robust surveillance and testing, to understand which influenza viruses are circulating and their effect on human health. This is critical for pandemic preparedness and for protecting Americans at home and abroad. Recently recommended pre-pandemic candidate influenza vaccine viruses (CVVs) targeting the clade 2.3.2.1e (A/Cambodia/SVH240441/2024-like CVV) and 2.3.2.1a (A/Victoria/149/2024-like CVV) viruses are currently in development. Based on the close genetic similarity of these two CVVs to clade 2.3.2.1e and 2.3.2.1a viruses detected in humans during 2025, both CVVs are expected to provide good cross-protection against the corresponding clade of influenza A(H5N1) viruses circulating in animal hosts and those detected in humans. Antigenic testing of viruses isolated from some of these cases is pending.